An optimist might consider the case of John Van Benschoten's demotion to AAA and note how much worse it could have been. After a typical performance in which he surrendered 7 runs on 9 hits and two walks in four innings against the Braves, JVB could easily be headed to Double-A.
A pessimist might not agree that the new assignment will provide much salve. Van Benschoten, the eighth pick of the 2001 draft, was mis-converted by the Pirates (what a surprise!) from the nation's leading home run hitter out of Kent State to a starting pitcher. After two unsuccessful stints in the bigs, several unimpressive minor league seasons and long recovery from labrum surgery, the Bucs once again placed him in their woebegone rotation. Woe. Be gone.
Here's what the pessimist reasonably fears. John Van Benschoten's major league career is over and it will go down in history as one of the worst of all time. In 21 games over four years in which he lasted a mere 75 innings, Van Benschoten served up 54 walks and 101 hits. Of the 380 Major League batters who faced him, 162 reached base safely, an on base average of .426. Not surprisingly, he compiled a 1-12 mark with an ERA of 8.84.
In one way, the optimists are right. This is well below the level of a Triple-A hurler. JVB's place is in Double-A, and given his history, that's roughly the level of his ability. It's unlikely that train to Altoona stops back in Pittsburgh.
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